The Book of Five Rings

The Scroll of Earth, the Scroll of Water, the Scroll of Fire, the Scroll of Wind, and the Scroll of Emptiness—this, with pure Japanese poetic flair, is how the various sections of this remarkable work are named. It was written by a man for whom war and philosophy were inseparable, as only a true samurai could have it. “The Book of Five Rings” is a textbook on strategy and the art of sword fighting. It is addressed to a broad audience: the method described in the book can be applied in different areas of activity—for example, in business. Could it be that’s why “The Book of Five Rings” is still popular today among lovers of samurai culture—and traditional Japanese culture in general around the world? The collection also includes Daidodji Yuzan’s work “A Compilation of Instructions on the Warrior’s Path.”